Swank Los Angeles Hotel
 

I am a New Yorker and will be in L.A. in August and am looking for a swank, very "L.A." hotel. A nice pool is very important; neighborhood (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc) is less so. I am currently considering the Standard (Hollywood), Chateau Marmont and L'Ermitage. Any advice on those or other hotel suggestions would be very welcome.

Well, that's the first time I've encountered the word "swank" in a while.<BR><BR>Right up there with "sassy"

If it's truly swank, introduse yourself to the hostess: "Madam, I'm Adam". She'll appreciate the palindrome - both swank and sassy.

The Standard would fit the description "hip" more than "swank". The rooms are fairly large and the beds comfortable but there are not many amenities associated with a "swank" property. On the other hand, it does seem very "L.A.".

We stayed at the Standard. The beds are really comfortable, but it can get really loud at night because the Standard Lounge is so happening. Nice pool, not that large though, but a great view. I'd also take a look at the Argyle Hotel. It's also on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and very Art Deco looking.

Any info on the other hotels? How about the W or the Mondrian?

SWANK? Well...assuming you mean ultra luxurious...<BR>The Four Seasons Beverly Hills is a beautiful hotel. The rooms are spacious, the beds great. The service is good. The lobby bar is beautiful but staff can show attitude if you're an "unknown". The location is quite residential and as a result, you're not really within walking distance to anything. The pool is nice.<BR><BR>We much prefer The Peninsula, Beverly Hills, as we think it's a step up. Amazing service, great bar, excellent restaurant, beautiful roof top pool and spa with cabanas that can be booked for the day that include cabana service for food and drinks, wonderful rooms, beds and linens, huge marble baths. Also, the location is excellent, as you're withing easy strolling to Neiman's, Sak's, Rodeo Drive et al and restaurants.<BR><BR>Many people think the Beverly Hilton pool is great because it's so big, which is why we don't really like it, but many recommend it.<BR><BR>Chateau Marmont is old-Hollywood and very private. Quite beautiful.<BR><BR>L'Ermitage is a nice hotel but a bit cold. I haven't seen the pool. I've heard the rooms are smallish.<BR><BR>My husband stayed at the Standard and said the rooms were small, ordinary, spartan in fact, and noisy from the bar. Sky Bar is quite a scene for the music biz folks. The pool is really nice at this property. This is a hip/hot hotel...not SWANK.<BR><BR>And finally, look into The Bel-Air Hotel which is exquisite, secluded and very elegant...or...SWANK.

The Peninsula is "swank," but I wouldn't say it's very "LA".<BR><BR>For both "swank" and "LA" I'd say the Hotel Bel Air or the Beverly Hills Hotel.

For those that are having trouble with the word "swank," The definition of swank (as defined in the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary)is "fashionably elegant." I would also be interested in "hip" places.

The W and Mondrian are definitely "hip" and they are fairly swanky, too. You can also add the Sunset Marquis to that list.

Gayle, while your post was informative, I'm afraid you wasted your time replying because if you had read the original post carefully you would have seen that this character is looking for HIP places (i.e., hip, young trash as far as I'm concerned), not beautiful and elegant, which you so succinctly described. Also, the Chateau Marmont most definitely is NOT Old Hollywood, not by a long shot. It would fit this poster's criteria perfectly. After all, John Belushi died there, so it was the perfect mileau for him. Anyone with any class or taste would NEVER stay there!

Consider Casa del Mar in Santa Monica...it's a great scene.

What about Shutters in Santa Monica? The biggest pool in the world is right in front of you.

To Ed, the self-appointed post policeman:<BR><BR>Who peed in your gimlet, bubba? I thought Gayle's post was fine.<BR>

I'm with bobcat. Mondrian, W, or Sunset Marquis. Swank city.

This thread's got me wanting to visit the City of Angels. So far, The Peninsula and Shutters have it hands down.

Thanks all. Ed is a total loser. gayle, you'r information was helpful. I am inclined to stay at the W simply because I got an insane rate - $79. So, if people think it is a fun and nice place, I would just as well stay there.

Shutters on the Beach is so overrated I sometimes wonder if the raters have ever even stayed there or if they're just looking out at the beach.<BR>I've stayed in 3 rooms there. Each a little less disappointing than the one before.<BR>None of them worth writing home about.<BR>The first was mildewed with super cheap furniture, small, and very dark.<BR>The second was small with the same cheap furniture, but thankfully didn't smell. No view.<BR>The third was a large suite which, for the price, was barely passable.<BR>C'mon. There are some really great hotels a few miles away in Beverly Hills. SOTB ought to be embarrassed.<BR>The rates are completely due to the location, not the quality of the hotel.

The Bel Air. Although I disagree with the coments on Shutters---I found it lovely and great fun. Swank? I don't quite know how to define that word!

Adam, you sound like another pain in the ass New Yorker. What's with "swank"?